by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

Embattled Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper received Twitter messages about the video of him using a racial slur before the footage became public last week.

The team confirmed as much in a statement on Sunday that seemed to imply the tweets could have been part of an extortion attempt.

"Riley Cooper made us aware of the tweets when the video became public," the Eagles said in the statement. "He told us that he did not know about the video. He informed us he blocked the tweets because he did not know the person nor understand the context of what that person was threatening. We promptly alerted NFL Security.

"This information potentially speaks to a legal issue that is a matter between Riley and the authorities. Our focus has been on Riley's words and actions."

The video of Cooper, 25, uttering a racial epithet in an intoxicated altercation with an African-American security guard at a Kenny Chesney concert in June surfaced Wednesday on the website CrossingBroad.com, which purchased it for $150.

The Eagles immediately fined Cooper, who apologized publicly and to the team. He returned to practice on Thursday but often seemed isolated between reps, and the Eagles announced Friday that Cooper has been excused from team activities while he seeks counseling.

Kyle Scott, editor of CrossingBroad.com, posted on Saturday the video had circulated among a group of friends, several of them had contacted Cooper about it on Twitter over the past month and a half and Cooper blocked two of them. That would seem to contradict Cooper's claim he didn't know about the video until hours before it was released.

In a statement released by the team Friday, Cooper said, "Right now, I think it's important for me to take some time to reflect on this situation. The organization and my teammates have been extremely supportive, but I also realize that there are people who will have a tough time forgiving me for what I've done. The best thing for me, and for the team, is to step away for a period of time.

"During this time I'm going to be speaking with a variety of professionals to help me better understand how I could have done something that was so offensive, and how I can start the healing process for everyone. As long as it takes, and whatever I have to do, I'm going to try to make this right."

Eagles coach Chip Kelly has said there has "never been any question" about the team keeping Cooper on the roster.

Kelly added Sunday there is no timetable for Cooper's return.

"When we do (bring him back), we'll make sure we announce it so it's not going to be a surprise to anybody," Kelly said.